The Torres Strait Islands are an archipelago of at least 274 small islands located in the Torres Strait, separating northern Australia's Cape York Peninsula and New Guinea. The total land area of the islands is 566 km2 within an area of 48,000 km2. The islands are inhabited by the indigenous Torres Strait Islanders. British administrative control over the islands began in 1862, and they are now mostly part of Queensland, administered by the Torres Strait Regional Authority under the Australian federal government.
The Torres Strait Island council area has a varied economic landscape, with agriculture, construction, and trade sectors prominently represented. Family households are primarily comprised of couples with children, followed by single parents and childless couples. The majority of residents earn between $0 to $26k annually, and most households have affordable mortgage repayments, ensuring financial stability for the community.
